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Dr. Bird's Advice for Sad Poets

Play trailer 1:59 Poster for Dr. Bird's Advice for Sad Poets R 2021 1h 49m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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80% Tomatometer 5 Reviews 75% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
Sixteen-year-old James Whitman played by Lucas Jade Zumann (20th Century Women, Anne With An 'E'), struggles to overcome anxiety and depression by seeking advice from Dr. Bird voiced by Tom Wilkinson (The Grand Budapest Hotel). In his magical realism inspired world, James goes on a whimsical, but emotionally charged search to solve the mystery of the disappearance of his sister, after an altercation with their parents depicted by Lisa Edelstein (Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce, The Kominsky Method), and Jason Isaacs (Harry Potter, Star Trek: Discovery). While James (Zumann) struggles to connect with his parents, he deals with the intense social anxiety of high school life while navigating first love with Sophie, portrayed by Taylor Russell (Lost in Space, Waves) -- a precocious girl from school who has her own agenda and a boyfriend Martin that hasn't quite learned to let go of her, brought to life by Chase Stokes (Outer Banks). Our two lovestruck teens set out on a quest to find Jorie, finding themselves in what appears to be a cult of sorts, led by David Arquette (Scream series) as Xavier, and into the under belly of NYC nightlife that makes James question every relationship in his life.
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Dr. Bird's Advice for Sad Poets

Critics Reviews

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Cath Clarke Guardian 06/15/2021
3/5
The family dysfunction stuff is sensitively handled with some originality... Go to Full Review Glenn Kenny New York Times 01/12/2021
The movie gets so drunk on its stylistic affectations (and unfunny attempts at cerebral comedy) that by the time it sobers up to take James's mental health seriously, it's too little, too late. Go to Full Review Sandie Angulo Chen Common Sense Media 01/26/2021
3/5
YA dramedy about anxiety has language, innuendo, drinking. Go to Full Review Cynthia Vinney CBR 01/12/2021
None of this would land, however, if it weren't for Zumann's earnest, heartfelt performance. He perfectly balances James' anxiety with his underlying sweetness as well as his awkward idiosyncrasy. Go to Full Review Nate Adams The Only Critic 01/12/2021
B+
Nobody is asking for originality, but if we believe the central relationship than nothing else matters, and Russell and Zumann are a delight to watch explore their feelings for each other. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Erwin v @criticaall 08/04/2024 The movie had potential, but sadly enough it lacked in important area's. The 'lost sister' arc and the 'romance' arc didn't mix well. The jokes often didn't land and they way James talks directly to the camera is awkward. The mental health problems were portrayed decently, but could have been better. The movie had good parts, but at certain parts I was astonished about how bad the writing was. I cannot recommend the movie. See more 09/29/2021 it's a sensitive and aesthetic portray about mental illness and finding beauty in life. a precious gem! See more Jerod S @jeroduptown 04/06/2021 It's too quirky for its own good...trying to weave finding his sister in with a new love interest and advice from a bird - this movie is all over the place. What could be touching is so schmaltzy that it loses its bite altogether. See more 02/01/2021 I watched this movie with my teen kids and we all loved it. See more 01/28/2021 Nothing special. Zumann's forced attempt to be quirky makes you roll your eyes and doesn't make justice into expose the actual feelings of someone with serious mental health. There are bunch of jokes without good sense of comedy and almost 2 hours of a plot that actually isn't explored. The main couple has no chemistry at all, which is ironic since the whole family drama, seriousness of mental health which should be more developed and the focus of the movie is putting aside to put under spotlight a romantic teenage drama that cannot even feel real. This film tries to bring too many things happening at once, hence loosing its essence. Do yourself a favor by watching another movie. See more 01/27/2021 This movie is very bad in so many levels. Is like a meal with too many ingredients that at first looks nice, but in the end just have a bad taste in your mouth. Most people just watch this movie because the actor who plays Gilbert from Anne with an E is in it and therefore are too bias to actually give a realistic feedback. See more Read all reviews
Dr. Bird's Advice for Sad Poets

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Yaniv Raz

Director

Lucas Jade Zumann

James

Taylor Russell

Sophie

David Arquette

Xavier

Lisa Edelstein

Elly

Jason Isaacs

Carl

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Dr. Bird's Advice for Sad Poets

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Dr. Bird's Advice for Sad Poets

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Movie Info

Synopsis Sixteen-year-old James Whitman played by Lucas Jade Zumann (20th Century Women, Anne With An 'E'), struggles to overcome anxiety and depression by seeking advice from Dr. Bird voiced by Tom Wilkinson (The Grand Budapest Hotel). In his magical realism inspired world, James goes on a whimsical, but emotionally charged search to solve the mystery of the disappearance of his sister, after an altercation with their parents depicted by Lisa Edelstein (Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce, The Kominsky Method), and Jason Isaacs (Harry Potter, Star Trek: Discovery). While James (Zumann) struggles to connect with his parents, he deals with the intense social anxiety of high school life while navigating first love with Sophie, portrayed by Taylor Russell (Lost in Space, Waves) -- a precocious girl from school who has her own agenda and a boyfriend Martin that hasn't quite learned to let go of her, brought to life by Chase Stokes (Outer Banks). Our two lovestruck teens set out on a quest to find Jorie, finding themselves in what appears to be a cult of sorts, led by David Arquette (Scream series) as Xavier, and into the under belly of NYC nightlife that makes James question every relationship in his life.
Director
Yaniv Raz
Producer
Joshua Bachove, Shona Tuckman
Screenwriter
Yaniv Raz
Production Co
Ketchup Entertainment, Kreate Films, StoryBoard Media, Particular Crowd
Rating
R (Sexual Material|Language|A Graphic Nude Image|Teen Partying)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 12, 2021
Runtime
1h 49m
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